Bemidji: Brayden Austad Faces DWI, Test Refusal

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — Brayden Austad was booked into the Beltrami County Jail on September 5, 2026.

Jail records list four charges against Austad in Beltrami County District Court.

The charges include third-degree driving while impaired and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

Two misdemeanor alcohol charges are also listed in the jail record.

The public booking entry lists bail at $0.

Third-Degree DWI Charge

Austad faces a gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI charge under Minnesota Statute 169A.26.

The charge description states that one aggravating factor was allegedly present.

Minnesota law classifies third-degree DWI with one aggravating factor as a gross misdemeanor.

Readers can review Minnesota Statute 169A.26 for the full law.

The jail record does not identify the aggravating factor connected with the charge.

It also does not provide an alcohol concentration or other test result.

Brayden Austad — Beltrami County Jail inmate image

A second gross misdemeanor charge alleges refusal to submit to a chemical test.

The booking entry specifically lists an alleged breath test refusal or failure.

Minnesota law makes refusing certain required chemical tests a criminal offense.

The applicable law appears in Minnesota Statute 169A.20.

The public jail record does not describe the circumstances surrounding the alleged refusal.

Austad also faces a misdemeanor charge involving possession of alcohol by a person under 21.

Minnesota law restricts alcohol possession by people under 21 under specified circumstances.

A separate misdemeanor charge alleges underage drinking and driving.

That law addresses driving after alcohol consumption when physical evidence remains in the person’s body.

Booking information lists Austad at five feet, six inches tall and 135 pounds.

The roster lists blond hair and blue eyes.

The custody date is September 5, 2026.

No court date was listed in the information provided.

No police officers are named in this report.

The jail entry does not provide a full account of the alleged incident.

A criminal charge is an allegation and does not establish guilt.

Austad is presumed innocent unless proven guilty through the court process.

Readers can visit the Beltrami County Jail inmate site for custody information.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.